The Healthy Performer (14) (Injuries in the studio)

Strains & Sprains:

• A strain is when a ligament is stretched or torn, whilst a sprain is when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn. Strains or sprains can occur through a sudden trauma (such as a fall or blow) or through over-use. For example, neck strain can occur when choreography requires excessive head movement and performers do not warm up or call down properly. 
• Strains and sprains should be treated using the "RICE" treatment: rest, ice, compression, elevation. Performers should rest by not doing the activity that caused them the injury. Ice should be applied to the area for 20 minutes at a time several times a day (though the ice should not be directly on the skin). An elastic compression bandage can be worn to prevent additional swelling or blood loss. Also to reduce swelling, the area that is injured should be lifted above the level of the performer's heart whilst they are resting.
• To prevent strains and sprains, performers should ensure they have done a thorough physical (and vocal) warm up. An effective physical warm up contains four sections: pulse-raiser (e.g. jogging), joint mobility (e.g. circular movements of the ankle), core strength (e.g. planks) and flexibility (e.g. lunges).

Cuts & Flesh Wounds:

• Cuts and other flesh wounds can occur when there are trip hazards in the studio or when performers are wearing unsuitable wear for physical work. Trip hazards could include cables from CD players or lighting - if a performer trips over they could fall, which could result in friction burns or cuts or bruises. Unsuitable clothing includes jewellery (as the clasps on bracelets could cause deep scratches; long earrings can be ripped out easily) and false / long nails (especially during close group work like lifts, having long nails can result in yourself or other people being scratched).
• Cuts should be cleaned, as to lower the risk of infection. Cuts should also be covered to stop the bleeding and to prevent anything getting in to the wound. Friction burns (or scrapes) should be cleaned to make sure there is no dirt in the wound (so that the new skin doesn't grow over the top of dirt) and stop the bleeding. For bruises, there are creams available to "bring them out" such as "Arnica cream". 
• To prevent cuts and flesh wounds, ensure that the studio is free of hazards (such as trailing cables, broken mirrors and spilt fluids) and that you are wearing appropriate clothing for movement.

Broken Bones:

• Broken bones can occur during falls - being dropped in a lift can result in broken bones. Heavy objects falling on the performer could also result in broken bones (such as lights that are not securely attached, or heavy props/sets/flats falling over). 
• Broken bones are diagnosed through the use of an X-ray and are treated by resting and by having a cast put on the area (e.g. if you break your ankle, you will have a cast from your foot up to your calf). 
• To prevent bones being broken, you should ensure that your studio if hazard free and that there are "spotters" when trying out lifts and that it is being well supervised.